Healthcare in Estonia

Written by Lais Cattassini Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Lais Cattassini

Lais is a Brazilian journalist and copywriter with over 17 years of experience, writing about things she knows really well (travelling, cinema, social media trends) and things she loves learning about.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 13, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

Interesting facts:

• Estonia was one of the first countries to introduce digital prescriptions, with over 99% of all prescriptions now being issued electronically.
• The country emphasises preventive healthcare, offering regular health screenings, vaccinations, and health education programs.
• Estonia’s healthcare system uses big data to improve efficiency and patient outcomes.

Overview of the Estonian healthcare system

Estonia offers universal health insurance to all residents, funded mainly through the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF), which is primarily financed by social taxes, specifically a 13% payroll tax paid by employers.

The Health Insurance Fund has agreements with general practitioners, hospitals and health centres, reimbursing them for the cost of healthcare services. The practices commit to maintaining agreed-upon waiting times and providing quality services.

The Estonian government determines what services that are eligible for reimbursements and, in some cases, patients might be required to contribute to the costs.

General practitioners (GPs) play a key role as the gatekeepers of the healthcare system. Estonian residents are registered with a family doctor who provides primary care, coordinates referrals to specialists, and offers preventive health services.

As an EHIF-insured individual, you are entitled to services such as primary care, specialist care, hospital care, emergency services, maternity care and prescription drugs.

How to access the healthcare system in Estonia as an expat

Obtain a Residence Permit

You must have a valid residence permit in Estonia, which is typically tied to employment, study, or family reunification. You can apply for one through the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.

Employer or Self-Employed Registration

If you are employed, your employer submits your employment details and tax information to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Once the necessary social tax contributions are made on your behalf (13% of gross salary), you will be automatically enrolled in the EHIF.

Your health insurance becomes active after approximately 1-2 months from the start of your employment.

If you are self-employed, you must submit your tax declarations and pay social tax on your earnings directly to the Tax and Customs Board. After making social tax payments, your EHIF coverage will be activated. Note that there is usually a 1-2 month delay between the start of contributions and coverage activation.

Visit the State Portal to check the status of your coverage.

Register with a Family Doctor (General Practitioner)

Once you are insured under the EHIF, you can register with a family doctor (general practitioner, GP). You can select any family doctor who is accepting new patients.

Estonia’s healthcare system is highly digitalised, making it easy to manage healthcare online. After registering with a GP, you can access your medical records through the Estonian e-Health Portal using your ID card, Mobile-ID, or Smart-ID. This portal contains all your medical history, test results, prescriptions, and other health-related information.

Types of health insurance in Estonia

Public Health Insurance (Estonian Health Insurance Fund - EHIF)

Public health insurance is the main type of health insurance in Estonia and is managed by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Haigekassa).

All salaried employees in Estonia automatically receive public health insurance coverage through their employers, who pay a 13% social tax on their behalf. The insurance is valid for 1-2 months after the first social tax payment. Self-employed persons are also eligible, but they must pay the social tax themselves as part of their tax obligations.

Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance serves as a supplement or alternative to public health insurance in Estonia. It is generally used by individuals who do not qualify for EHIF coverage or who want quicker access to healthcare services, especially in the private sector.

Coverage of private health insurance typically includes access to private clinics, specialist care, dental care, and international coverage.

Some of the most popular private health insurance companies in Estonia are Swedbank, SEB, If, Ergo, and Pzu.

Voluntary Health Insurance Contract

For individuals who are not covered by the public system through employment or other means, Estonia offers the option of signing a Voluntary Health Insurance Contract with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF). This allows individuals to gain access to the same public healthcare services as insured individuals by making regular payments.

Voluntary health insurance requires the payment of a monthly social tax of €170.30, which is based on the national minimum wage. The specific contribution is a percentage of the minimum wage and is paid directly to the EHIF.

There is typically a waiting period of up to three months before coverage starts after signing a voluntary health insurance contract.

How much does health insurance in Estonia cost?

Employers in Estonia are required to pay a 13% social tax on the gross salary of their employees. This social tax covers healthcare contributions, as well as other social benefits (such as pensions). The employee does not directly pay for their public health insurance.

Self-employed individuals must pay the 13% social tax themselves. The tax is based on their declared income, and they must make these payments regularly to maintain their coverage.

While most healthcare services are covered by the EHIF, some services require co-payments, such as specialist visits (around €5) and hospital stays (daily fee of €2.50 to €25 for inpatient hospital care, with a maximum fee of €100 for long-term stay), and dental care.

Private Health Insurance Costs

The cost of private health insurance varies depending on the insurer, the plan selected, and the individual’s age and health status.

Basic private health insurance plans can start at around €30 to €50 per month, while a more comprehensive plan can cost between €50 to €150.

Expat health insurance in Estonia

Expats from EU/EEA countries or Switzerland can access the Estonian healthcare system with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card allows them to receive medically necessary healthcare during short-term stays (such as for tourism or temporary work). In these cases, additional health insurance may not be required for short visits.

If you plan to reside in Estonia long-term, you need to register as a resident and contribute to the Estonian public health insurance system (EHIF) through employment, self-employment, or voluntary contributions.

English-speaking doctors in Estonia

The Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Haigekassa) provides a list of family doctors (general practitioners) and healthcare services across Estonia. You can filter your search based on language proficiency, including English.

Private healthcare providers in Estonia tend to cater to international patients and usually offer services in English. Major private clinics, such as Confido, Medicum, and Meliva provide multilingual services, especially in large cities.

What to do in an emergency?

The single emergency number in Estonia is 112, which connects you to ambulance services, the police, and fire and rescue services.

You can dial 112 from any phone, including mobile phones, without a SIM card. The operators speak Estonian, Russian, and English.

If you are not covered by health insurance, you may be charged for non-urgent medical services. However, emergency care is provided regardless of insurance status in life-threatening situations.